Colombia

Cartagena

My first solo trip was to Colombia, and even though my family was pretty nervous, I felt completely safe the whole time. People always ask how I decided on Colombia. It actually started after I watched a Netflix show called Fake Profile, which was set in Cartagena. The city looked so beautiful and unexpected, not a place that was originally on my travel list. After doing a bit of research, I decided to just go for it. I filled my days with excursions, met kind and welcoming people, and genuinely had a great time. The city was covered in vibrant, colorful graffiti that turned every walk into an open-air gallery.

That said, there were a lot of people on the street trying to sell you things. If you don’t make eye contact and just keep walking, they’ll often still follow you for a bit or try to intimidate you into buying something. The best thing you can do is ignore them completely and keep moving. It’s a bit uncomfortable at first, but you get used to it. It was something to be aware of, but it didn’t take away from the overall experience.

One of my favorite unexpected moments happened when I went to a pub I had researched before heading to Colombia that was supposed to show the Ohio State bowl game. Sure enough, they had it playing, and I ended up meeting two other Americans at the bar; one guy wearing an Ohio State shirt, and another woman who, like me, was also traveling solo. We hit it off right away and ended up making plans to hang out together for New Year’s Eve. It was one of those spontaneous travel connections that reminded me how easy it is to find community, even thousands of miles from home.

This trip really pushed me to get out of my comfort zone, whether it was navigating a new city alone or striking up conversations with strangers. I realized how much connection is out there when you’re open to it. It was such a beautiful mix of adventure, creativity, and personal growth … an experience I’ll never forget!

📍 Places I Visited

Getsemaní: A colorful neighborhood full of street art, lively bars, and local charm.
Iglesia de la Trinidad: A historic church that’s the heartbeat of Getsemaní’s main square.
Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas: An impressive fortress with sweeping views and a deep history.
Baluarte de San Ignacio: One of Cartagena’s old defensive walls, perfect for a sunset stroll.
Plaza de Los Coches: A square once used for trading, now lined with candy vendors and shops.
El Centenario Plaza: A shady park where locals relax, iguanas roam, and monkeys play in the trees.
Monumento Miguel de Cervantes: A statue honoring the famous Spanish writer, tucked in a scenic square.
Cartagena Cathedral: A beautiful landmark that dominates the skyline with its dome.
Plaza de Bolívar: A lively plaza with street performers, shaded benches, and the statue of Simón Bolívar.
Caribe Jewelry and Emerald Museum: A sparkling stop to learn about emeralds and see stunning jewelry.
Plaza de la Aduana: One of the city’s oldest plazas, surrounded by colonial buildings and history.
La Serrezuela: A modern shopping mall built inside a restored bullring, blending old and new.
Palenque: A cultural day trip to the first free town of formerly enslaved Africans in the Americas.

🏨 Where I Stayed

Hotel Bantu By Faranda Boutique: 4.5/5 ⭐️
- The location was perfect. Super central and made getting picked up and dropped off for excursions really easy.

🧳 Travel Tips

eSIM: Airalo — I’ve used this in nearly every country I’ve traveled to, and it’s worked great. Be sure to set it up before your trip begins.
Stay Central: As long as you’re staying in central Cartagena (especially the walled city or Getsemaní), you should feel safe. There’s a strong police presence , especially female officers who often patrol in groups of four, which felt reassuring.
Night Walks: I read a lot of advice saying not to walk around alone or at night, but in my experience, the streets were lively and filled with people even late into the evening. That said, always use your own judgment, trust your instincts, and stay aware of your surroundings like you would in any big city.
Excursions & Tours: Book ahead if you’re on a tight schedule, but don’t stress if you haven’t planned everything. Your hotel or local operators can usually help with last-minute options. There’s always something happening.
- I booked all of these tours through Viator and loved each one for different reasons:
  - Private History & Photography Tour: Perfect for solo travelers. My guide helped capture photos of me at all the top landmarks, so I didn’t leave with just selfies (Viator Link).
  - Cartagena City Tour (Walled City, San Felipe Castle & Popa Convent): A one-on-one tour where I learned a ton about the city’s history. My guide was knowledgeable and super kind (Viator Link).
  - Street Food Tour: Come hungry! We tried so many local bites that I couldn’t even finish everything. A great way to explore neighborhoods while snacking (Viator Link).
  - Freedom Tour of Palenque: A powerful experience. Palenque is the first free town in the Americas founded by escaped enslaved people. You learn about their culture, language, music, and resistance. It’s unlike any other tour I’ve done, incredibly meaningful and eye-opening. This visit also came with a disgusting but hilarious story from my drive, one I’ll keep to myself and a very select few who already know. If you don’t get grossed out easily, I’ll be happy to share the tale.(Viator Link).
  - Dance Class on a Secret Rooftop: Even if you have two left feet, this class is a blast. Great energy, music, and views. Highly recommend for something fun and different (Viator Link).
Comfortable Shoes & Water: The cobblestone streets are charming, but they’ll destroy your feet if you’re not wearing the right shoes. And Cartagena is HOT…..stay hydrated!

🎉 New Year’s Eve & Birthday Reflections

Spending my birthday abroad and alone, was a completely different experience from what I’m used to. It was lowkey in the best possible way. I spent the day exploring the colorful streets of Palenque, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere and letting myself wander without any real plan. Later that evening, I joined a rooftop salsa class, which turned out to be a fun and energizing way to celebrate.

That night, I had dinner alone reflecting on the trip, the past year, and everything I’d experienced so far. There was something really grounding about having that quiet moment to myself before the night picked up. When midnight came, I rang in the New Year with one of the new friends I had met on my first night at the pub. We laughed, danced, and celebrated with strangers.

The celebration itself wasn’t the most exciting New Year’s I’ve ever experienced. Honestly, the Fourth of July fireworks back home were more impressive than anything we saw that night. Still, we made the best of it, soaking up the energy and appreciating the moment for what it was. It wasn’t extravagant or over the top, but it felt meaningful, and for a birthday, that was more than enough.